Poxviridae

Definition

A family of large, complex double-stranded DNA viruses within the order Chitovirales, characterized by cytoplasmic replication and enveloped virions. The family is divided into two subfamilies: Chordopoxvirinae (infecting vertebrates, including the causative agent of smallpox) and Entomopoxvirinae (infecting insects). The entomopoxviruses are of particular interest in invertebrate pathology and biological control, with genera including Alphaentomopoxvirus, Betaentomopoxvirus, Gammaentomopoxvirus, and Deltaentomopoxvirus.

Etymology

From English pox + -viridae (family suffix for viruses)

Example

Diachasmimorpha entomopoxvirus, a member of the subfamily Entomopoxvirinae, infects parasitoid wasps and has been studied for its potential role in regulating populations of tephritid fruit fly pests.

Related Terms

• Entomopoxvirinae
• Chordopoxvirinae
• Entomopoxvirus
• cytoplasmic replication
• Virion
• insect pathology
• Biological control
• dsDNA virus

Usage Notes

As a family-level taxon, Poxviridae takes the suffix -viridae and is treated as a proper noun in formal taxonomic usage. The entomopoxviruses (Entomopoxvirinae) represent the primary interface of this family with entomology; they infect diverse insect orders including Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Orthoptera, often causing characteristic cytoplasmic inclusions in infected tissues. Differentiation from vertebrate poxviruses relies on host range, genome organization, and virion morphology. The family is distinguished from other large DNA viruses by its unique cytoplasmic replication strategy independent of host nuclear function.